Rebels free Betancourt after 6 years

BY HUGH BRONSTEIN

Bogota

July 3: Colombian troops tricked rebels into freeing politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans in a bold but bloodless jungle rescue that dealt a severe blow to Latin America’s oldest left-wing insurgency.

Ms Betancourt, a dual French-Colombian citizen and former presidential candidate, had been held for six years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, and was its most well-known captive.

Wednesday’s rescue further weakened the negotiating position of FARC rebels, who are already reeling after the death of three top leaders, and bolstered President Alvaro Uribe as he fends off a political scandal over bribery charges.

The successful mission could shore up investor confidence in US ally Mr Uribe, who is hugely popular at home for his security drive against the FARC and his free-market policies to foster investment and economic growth.

Ms Betancourt, 46, a mother of two, wept and prayed as she hugged relatives at a Bogota Air Base while the three US defence contractors, Keith Stables, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes, were flown to the United States after five years in captivity.

"I feel like I am returning from a journey into the past," said Ms Betancourt, dressed in a combat jacket and appearing in decent health. Eleven kidnapped soldiers and the police were also released after the 22-minute rescue operation in the southern jungle province of Guaviare.

—Reuters